I think the effort was worth it though. The silky red ribbons can be removed one piece at a time, leaving the rest in place. I put bows over the important parts so they can pull the ends to reveal a spicy surprise.
“Read the card first,” I say, still using my sexy voice, and gesture to the card hanging over my breast.
Charm pulls it off, and they gather around to look at it.
The silence while they read makes my nerves ratchet up, but I was going to be scared no matter how I decided to tell them. Maybe this is a silly way to do it rather than just saying it outright, but I thought this would be cute and it ensures I didn’t forget anything I wanted to say.
“Is this…are you serious?” Charm says.
“Yes,” I say.
Orion kisses me before I can get anything else out.
Cato steals me from Orion and says, “I love you too, pet.”
Between more breathless kisses, I tell my mates I love them, and they say the same.
After I’ve had a moment with each of them, Orion runs his hands up my arms and says, “I love this idea, but I think we’ll have to take her down first.”
“We can still reach some of her neck though…or we can bite her somewhere else,” Henri says, considering my exposed skin.
“You think so?” Orion asks.
It takes me too long to realize what they mean, even though it was my suggestion.
“Wait, you mean you want to do it now?” I say, shocked.
I thought they would want to wait, like until I was done with my training, or at least another week to see if Alana changes her mind and fires us.
“Is that not what you meant with this?” Magnus says, looking crestfallen.
“No! I mean yes, or, well, I thought?—”
I never considered they would agree to bondrightnow.
“Of course we don’t have to do it tonight. We can take our time, choose a day,” Orion says.
“No, wait, I just didn’t expect you to be ready immediately since I sprang it on you. I want you to know that I love you and would be thrilled to bond with you someday, but I figured after you read the card, the rest of the gift would just be unwrapping me. I didn’t mean to pressure you. For tonight, we can simply have fun,” I say.
“I’ve thought about this for long enough already,” Henri says.
“We want you to join us and complete our pack,” Orion says.
“Will you have us?” Charm asks.
“Yes! Yes, I’ll bond with you,” I say, giddy like they surprised me with this, and I wasn’t the one offering.
For so long I thought I’d never settle down with a pack. That shifted when I met them until eventually, I couldn’t picture a future without my mates at my side.
I’m still smiling as Orion kisses me. It’s strange being unable to move, especially with him. I keep trying to wrap my arms around Orion, only to have the ribbons tighten against my skin. They’re a caress, a warning. I can’t do anything but let them touch me.
“Do you want to stay tied up for this?” Charm asks.
“Yes,” I say breathlessly.
“Even for bonding? We can take you down when it’stime for the bites so you’re more comfortable,” Magnus says, stroking my side.
“Stay like this,” I say, already losing my train of thought.
